Bria went to the front door and attempted to open it. Once again, she was met with resistance. All of a sudden, she couldn’t get out the house. She tried the patio door in the kitchen and the back door near the laundry room but to her dismay, they were locked as well.
“What the hell? Why can’t I get out?” she groaned, pulling at the knob.
“None of that is going to work, Bria. Did you forget about the state-of-the-art security system I had installed?”
Bria spun around at the sound of Lo’s deep tone. He stood at the bottom of the staircase as amusement danced in his irises.
“Why are you being a jerk?” she badgered.
“‘Cause shit don't move until I say so. You want to leave, then tell me where you're going. It’s really simple.”
A knowing expression covered her features. How childish of him to lock her inside the house because she wouldn’t let him know where she was headed?
“How old are you again?” she snapped.
Smirking, he retorted, “Old enough to lock your ass in this house until you do what I say. Now this is the last time I’m asking you where you going.”
“I’m going with my sister to get drinks. Damn, is that enough for you?”
Lo nodded, looking at her with eyes that made the place between her thighs swelter with desire. Bria hated that she was so attracted to him. Everything about Lo caused her insides to stir with a longing for him. He was so oblivious to it though. So, she kept her desire tucked inside and made sure it didn’t make an appearance.
“Come here,” he ordered.
Bria wanted to rebel, but she was scared he would do more than lock the house down. Slowly, she sauntered to Lo and stood in front of him. Their eyes met, activating the yearning she tried to rid herself of. His hand graced her hip, provoking the heat between her legs to travel all over her body. Bria was dangerously drawn to Lo. How couldn’t he see it? She was certain she wore it on her body like a garment. Still, he was unaware of the effect he had on her and it saddened her.
“Don’t be out too late.”
Disappointedly, she stepped back, letdown from his lack of affection. A kiss to the lips would’ve wiped out her attitude. She hadn’t felt his lips since the wedding. Besides a peck on the temple or forehead, their lips hadn’t reunited yet. Although brief, their wedding kiss was burned into her mind. Bria reflected on it often. She held onto that little piece of affection,wondering if that was the last time she would ever be able to feel him.
“You can go.”
Lo was dismissive but she wasn’t going to fight him on it. She gave him a subtle eye roll before going back to the garage. This time, the door lifted, and she was able to make her way to get drinks with her sister.
One hour later…
“Wait a minute. So y’all ain't had sex yet?” Cali asked, gawking at her.
Shamefully, Bria shook her head while sipping on her tequila sunrise.
“Sis.” Cali shook her head. “Ain’t no way y’all been married for a month and he ain't hit that. Something ain't right.”
“That’s the same thing I said. Like how is it that this man hasn’t touched me? He just comes and goes as he pleases. Then, he had the nerve to lock me in the house before I came because I wouldn’t tell him where I was going.”
Cali tipped her head back and cackled. “Oh, this man is a nutcase.”
Snorting, Bria replied, “A basket case. I’m so frustrated with him because I want more. I don't want no marriage of convenience.”
“Well, lil’ sister, I hate to break it to you, but this is exactly what your marriage is. Convenience. Something to wedge the families together. What were you expecting?”
“…To fall in love.”
Cali peered into her eyes before breaking out in a chortle. Bria hated how her sister found her woes funny. She took this marriage seriously. There were so many possibilities with herand Lo, but he wouldn’t budge, and it unfortunately caused Bria to feel unwanted.
“You know when you were having trouble in your marriage, I never laughed in your face, Cali.”
Her laughter ceased immediately. “You know what? You're right, sis. My bad. I ain't know you were serious about ol’ boy. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” she replied dryly.
